SERIES 5000: STUDENTS, CURRICULUM, AND ACADEMIC MATTERS
5400 Curriculum, Instruction, and Parent/Guardian Involvement
5404 Free Textbooks, Materials, and Charging of Fees and Fines
The District will provide free instruction in accordance with state law and the State Board of Education’s Position Statement on Free Textbooks, Materials, and the Charging of Fees.
A. Textbooks and Materials
The District will not charge a fee for materials necessary to complete required or elective courses. Students and parents/guardians may purchase additional supplies at their own expense. The District may charge a reasonable and refundable deposit to cover damage to textbooks and supplies.
B. Fees
The District will not charge students a fee to participate in curricular activities. The District may charge students a fee to participate in extracurricular and noncurricular activities to cover the District’s reasonable costs. The District may require students to furnish specialized equipment and clothing required for participation in extracurricular and noncurricular activities or may charge a reasonable fee for the use of District-owned equipment or clothing. The activity’s coach or sponsor will provide students with information about the fees charged and the equipment or clothing required.
C. Fines
The District may require students and their parents/guardians to reimburse the District for actual costs to repair or replace District property that is lost, damaged, stolen, returned in a different condition, or not returned on time. The District may pursue legal remedies to collect unpaid fines.
D. Optional Insurance
The District may offer the opportunity for students or parents/guardians to purchase insurance to protect against damage to District equipment or supplies. The decision to offer insurance rests with the District.
E. Donations
The District may request donations of money, materials, equipment, or clothing from parents/guardians and community members to defray the costs of providing certain services and activities to students. Employees are directed to clearly communicate to students, parents/guardians, and community members that donations are voluntary.
A teacher may provide a list of suggested materials that students and parents/guardians may purchase. Purchasing materials is voluntary and not required for curricular activities.
F. Waivers
Students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches under U.S. Department of Agriculture child nutrition programs will be provided a fee waiver or the necessary materials or equipment without charge for: (1) participation in extracurricular activities, (2) materials for course projects, and (3) the use of a musical instrument in elective music courses. Actual participation in the free or reduced price lunch program is not required to qualify for these waivers. The District is not obligated to provide any particular type or quality of equipment or other material to eligible students. A student who wishes to be considered for a fee waiver must submit a completed fee waiver application to the building principal.
Legal authority: MCL 600.2913; State Board of Education’s Position Statement on Free Textbooks, Materials, and the Charging of Fees (March 1972)
Date adopted: 08/09/2021
Date revised:
